1. < Depression & Anxiety

Looking for help and support in stopping Effexor

Posted by magskay @magskay, Feb 4 7:56pm

I want to discontinue Effexor. I’ve heard horror stories. Looking for answers, solutions that worked. I’ve been on it for about 16 years and am down to lowest dose available. If I miss a dose I get terribly sick with dizziness and nausea. It’s awful.

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magskay | @magskay | Feb 12 2:48pm
In reply to @larrypains "You should be on another med that's much less potent while you taper. I stopped taking..." + (show)
@larrypains

You should be on another med that's much less potent while you taper. I stopped taking effexor in 4 days. Why are people suffering for months when they don't have too.

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What was the other med? How long did it take you to get off that one?

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2 replies
larrypains | @larrypains | Feb 12 4:30pm
In reply to @magskay "What was the other med? How long did it take you to get off that one?" + (show)
@magskay

What was the other med? How long did it take you to get off that one?

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It's desvenlafaxine. Withdrawals much less than effexor. Cutting beads in quarters? The people are suffering.

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mmsm | @mmsm | Feb 12 4:57pm
In reply to @larrypains "You should be on another med that's much less potent while you taper. I stopped taking..." + (show)
@larrypains

You should be on another med that's much less potent while you taper. I stopped taking effexor in 4 days. Why are people suffering for months when they don't have too.

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What dose did you start at? You may be one of the lucky ones that doesn't get withdrawal. What med would you suggest?

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1 reply
magskay | @magskay | Feb 12 7:05pm
In reply to @mmsm "Just be aware that once the effexor is made into a liquid, or you change to..." + (show)
@mmsm

Just be aware that once the effexor is made into a liquid, or you change to the tablets, it becomes immediate release. The only way to preserve the extended release property is to use the beads in the XR capsules.

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How different is the immediate release from extended release if taken at consistent intervals?

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1 reply
magskay | @magskay | Feb 12 7:18pm
In reply to @elizd "My venlafaxine is by Sandoz and I buy it in Australia. The pills are about 2mm..." + (show)
@elizd

My venlafaxine is by Sandoz and I buy it in Australia. The pills are about 2mm discs, compressed powder that I was able to cut with a craft knife.

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Thank you.

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daveshaw | @daveshaw | Feb 13 9:28am
In reply to @simon007 "Dear mmsm, Re Fatigue & Venlafaxine / Effexor w/drawal. Extreme fatigue symptoms do not end after..." + (show)
@simon007

Dear mmsm,
Re Fatigue & Venlafaxine / Effexor w/drawal.
Extreme fatigue symptoms do not end after titrating off. I am 2 years clear after taking 4 yrs to titrate off from 75mg. I still get waves of extreme fatigue like you. Plus, other allergic side effects that come & go & return. Little evidence on the INTERNET, but it seems these legacy drug effects of effexor still in your system, can last for years after stopping. The average timeline being 4 years according to feedback iv'e seen. Question for MAYOCLINC subscriber's = Have you any feedback to offer on how long you have experienced legacy (post titration) side effects? after titration off. Regards

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Rather than quit taking Effexor find an antidepressant that is well tolerated by your body.
Every medication out there causes side effects but there are ones that are better tolerated by each individual.
If you truly suffer from depression you need to be on something. Just continue to experiment until you find the right combination.
Sometimes you might need to find more then one to reach a good balance. Zoloft and Wellbutrin can work very effectively together. At one point my Doctor said they were prescribed so often they had a nickname for the combination. They called it Welloft.
Good luck to you.

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mmsm | @mmsm | Feb 13 10:47am
In reply to @magskay "How different is the immediate release from extended release if taken at consistent intervals?" + (show)
@magskay

How different is the immediate release from extended release if taken at consistent intervals?

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My pharmacist said it would give you highs and lows throughout the day, rather than a steady concentration throughout. You could look up the specifics online regarding the science behind it.

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1 reply
looplu79 | @looplu79 | Feb 13 12:12pm

This approach not advised by Dr Horowitz who wrote Deprescribing guidelines
More research is needed
You seem to be unusual in having few withdrawal symptoms

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larrypains | @larrypains | Feb 13 12:17pm
In reply to @mmsm "What dose did you start at? You may be one of the lucky ones that doesn't..." + (show)
@mmsm

What dose did you start at? You may be one of the lucky ones that doesn't get withdrawal. What med would you suggest?

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No, I'm not lucky. Been depressed and anxious for 40 years. Effexor was the best I could do, I'm very sensitive to mess, but it pooped out on me. Was switched to desvenlafaxine which is alot like venlafaxine. Not much help though. But switched over in 3 days. I haven't tried stopping the desvenlafaxine yet but told by my Dr. Not nearly as bad as the venlafaxine. We'll see.

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larrypains | @larrypains | Feb 13 12:21pm
In reply to @magskay "What was the other med? How long did it take you to get off that one?" + (show)
@magskay

What was the other med? How long did it take you to get off that one?

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Still on it. But Dr. Said nothing like effexor. We'll see

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